CALLER: Oh, okay. Well, do you know — like I’m just really worried because like my friend told me that — like I’m going to be 14 in March, and she said that they would have to tell my parents. But my boyfriend’s 22. Could he just sign whatever it is and they wouldn’t have to tell anybody?

CLINIC: Let me — let me tell you something, ma’am.

CALLER: Uh-huh.

CLINIC: By you being 14 and your boyfriend is 22, it’s going to be reported also to the law.

CALLER: Why?

CLINIC: Because it’s considered statutory rape.

CALLER: But he’s not raping me. I mean, we’re in love. We’re going to get married.

CLINIC: Okay? Because if you do, yes, this is considered statutory rape, and he will be prosecuted for a rapist, okay? Regardless of your consenting it. Another thing is, yes you do need a parental consent for this abortion or you would have to go in front of a judge and get the permission to get it. If you don’t want your parents to find out, you need to get a judge consent.

CALLER: Well, how much does that cost?

CLINIC: It’s just going to be depending on how far along you are.

CALLER: Oh. Well, how do you know?

CLINIC: From your last — are you sure you’re pregnant now?

CALLER: Not really. I’m just scared because like my last period was like December 21st.

CLINIC: Okay, and you haven’t had a pregnancy test done?

CALLER: No. Could I come in there for that?

CLINIC: You can.

CALLER: But would you have to tell anybody?

CLINIC: I don’t want to know who you are, okay? Put it that way.

CALLER: It’s just, the thing is, I’m not old enough to drive, and my boyfriend would be the only one that could take me. But would he be reported if he took me?

CLINIC: If he sat outside, no.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: But like I said, if anybody finds out that he’s three years older than you are, this is considered rape.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: Especially with the new laws that there is. Thank God that you’re not 13, because if you were 13 things would be worse.

CALLER: But I’ll be 14 in March. I am 13 right now.

CLINIC: Oooh. Okay. Let me tell you one more thing before you come in. If I do have a positive result, I do have to report you.

CALLER: Oh.

CLINIC: I do have to report you — by law. If I do have a positive pregnancy test on you, I will have to report you.

CALLER: Well, is there any way to get a pregnancy test without coming in?

CLINIC: Hold on. Unless you — have you bought one over the counter at like Walmart, HEB?

CALLER: No. Are those usually right though?

CLINIC: If you do them correctly, they should be.

CALLER: Really?

CLINIC: Um-hum.

CALLER: Okay. Well, if that came out that I wasn’t pregnant, could I come over there to get birth control?

CLINIC: We can get you started on something, yes, ma’am.

CALLER: But would you have to tell anybody though?

CLINIC: Okay. If any of your results — okay. No. But if any of your results did come back positive, yes we would have to.

CALLER: Oh, okay.

CLINIC: You don’t have to give us the information that your boyfriend is 13 — I mean 22. But then if I have any positive results like say chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, any of the sexually transmitted infection results do come back positive, yes, definitely we will have to report it anyway.

CALLER: Oh.

CLINIC: Okay?

CALLER: So I can’t get birth control until I’m tested though?

CLINIC: Well, we’ll give you some, but we will test you at the time.

CALLER: Oh. But if any of the tests come back where I’m positive then –

CLINIC: Yes. Then we would have to by law.

CALLER: Well, do you know — like the thing is I can’t drive. So would my boyfriend be able to pick up like the birth control pills?

CLINIC: He would have to — hold on, ma’am. (pause) Ma’am?

CALLER: Uh-huh.

CLINIC: Okay. Like I said, we will be glad to help you out as much as we can, but if I do have any positive results I will definitely have to report you by law.

CALLER: Oh. Well, all right. Well, thanks for saying, answering all my questions. I just don’t have anybody to talk to. So.

CLINIC: The thing is that if you’re nervous also, that will also make your period be held up. Are you irregular in your periods, or –

CALLER: Usually.

CLINIC: Usually? Okay. Are you having any nausea, breast tenderness?

CALLER: No.

CLINIC: Feeling tired?

CALLER: No.

CLINIC: No? Like I said, we can do a pregnancy test on you, and if it’s negative yes we can see you this afternoon, and we can do a complete physical exam on you, and we can check you for everything and get you started on a method of birth control. But if by your boyfriend being 22, it’s not, not correct. Not correct, because for the fact that you’re still very, very young and actually he knows more than what you do, and he is considered an adult.

CALLER: Okay. Well, I’m going to — I just really need to think about all this. I’ll, I’m going to run out and get a pregnancy test. But could I call and talk to you if I had any other questions?

CLINIC: Sure. You may.

CALLER: What was your name?

CLINIC: Marie.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: Okay?

CALLER: Thank you.

CLINIC: Uh-huh. Good luck.

CALLER: Bye.

CLINIC: Um-hum.

(phone clicks)

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